In the realm of football, there exists a select group of players whose mere presence on the pitch ignites anticipation and excitement among fans worldwide. These are the marksmen, the sharpshooters, whose ability to unleash thunderous strikes from long distances sets them apart as true game-changers. From dead-ball specialists to attacking maestros, each possesses a unique blend of skill, precision, and audacity that leaves a lasting impression on the beautiful game. Let’s join bestsoccertips to explore the best long range shooters in football through the following article!
Who is the best long range shooters in football?
Ruslan Malinovskiy (Atalanta) AMC, longest goal distance: 33 meters
In recent seasons, Ruslan Malinovskiy has shone with impressive goal-scoring abilities, making him one of the most admired attacking players. Just within the last 4 seasons, he has scored 15 goals from outside the penalty area in the national league, demonstrating himself as one of the premier long-range shooters in football.
Not stopping there, Malinovskiy continues to assert himself with remarkable efficiency in scoring from long distances. In matches for Genk, Marseille, and Atalanta, he has scored a total of 34 goals from distances of 16 meters or more, a staggering figure that cannot be denied. Notably, only one of these goals was scored with his weaker right foot, showcasing Malinovskiy’s exceptional technique and versatility in using both feet during gameplay.
MC Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers); longest goal range: 28 meters
Ruben Neves, though not renowned for prolific goal-scoring, has shown versatility and effectiveness in finding the back of the net. Out of his total of 21 goals in the Premier League, 8 were scored from penalty kicks, 4 from within the penalty area, and impressively, 9 from outside the penalty area.
A noteworthy aspect is Neves’ ability to score from long range, earning him admiration from fans. With three goals from a distance of 28 meters, he has established himself as one of the top long-range shooters. Among these, his most impressive goal came in a match against Aston Villa, scoring in the 95th minute to secure a draw for his team.
Despite being known for his long-range shooting ability and powerful right foot, Ruben Neves is not limited to just this aspect. He also demonstrates versatility by contributing to other tasks such as building attacks and participating in defensive duties, presenting a complete and multifaceted image of himself.
Marco Asensio (Paris Saint-Germain) AMC; longest goal range: 31 meters
Marco Asensio is a prime example of a player seemingly focused solely on scoring goals. Call them what you want. The reputation of the left-footed Spanish player might have been even higher if he hadn’t spent too long at Real Madrid, where he often played second fiddle. Asensio has played 286 matches for Real, but he averaged just 49 minutes on the field. Scoring 43 goals in La Liga, 10 of which were from outside the penalty area! But Marco has also made a strong impression in the Champions League, where he has scored 12 goals.
Now, he will be utilized extensively by Paris Saint-Germain to break down tight defenses that weaker teams set against star-studded squads. At 27, we’ll see the Spanish player’s longest goal distance being from 31 meters, in a match between Real Madrid and Las Palmas in 2017.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), AMC, longest goal distance: 34 meters
KDB is the creative leader of modern football, and with the ball at his feet, defenders are busy tracking attackers, leaving space for Man City’s star to punish them with a thunderous strike. De Bruyne has scored 24 goals from open play and outside the penalty area in the national league, out of his total of 75 goals.
Another major concern for defenders is Kevin’s known ability to shoot from distance with his stronger right foot but also with his weaker left foot. Four out of his 20 furthest goals across all competitions came from a left-footed strike. The longest goal scored by the Belgian player was in 2018 against Crystal Palace, measuring at a height of 34 meters, from a narrower angle than usual.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), CF; longest goal range: 32 meters
While he may be regarded by unfamiliar onlookers as a penalty merchant, or derisively termed Penaldo for his penalty record, Cristiano cannot be excluded from the list of the most beautiful long-range shots in football. He has left goalkeepers with sore hands far too often for that to be the case.
Before joining Al-Nassr, Cristiano had 15 goals from open play in the league he competed in. Overall, he has 25 goals since 2017! While famously punishing gloves during his early Real Madrid days, even old Ronaldo has managed some long-range strikes, with a goal from 32 meters against Norwich in 2022.
Paulo Dybala (Roma) AMC, longest goal distance: 30 meters
Paulo Dybala, although often known for his superior technical skills, also possesses the ability to execute long-range shots. Despite not focusing on power as much as finesse and placement, with 18 goals scored from outside the penalty area in open play situations in the league, Dybala has proven himself as one of the premier long-range shooters in football.
Overall, the Argentine player has displayed diversity and excellence in executing long-range shots. He has scored from distances of 16 meters or more a total of 34 times, which is an impressive figure. Among these, the longest success was from 30 meters in 2018 in a match against Milan, where he masked his shot after 34 attempts from distance.
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), AMC, longest goal distance: 30 meters
It comes as no surprise that Lionel Messi would feature in most lists of outstanding attackers as long as he continues to actively play. Just in league matches alone, he holds the record for the most goals scored from long distance, with 28, from an open play!
Across all competitions, Messi has amassed an astonishing 72 goals from distances of 16 meters or more for both club and country. The furthest distance the Argentine player has struck from since keeping track is 32 meters from open play! Whether it’s a grass-cutting shot or a screamer requiring a goalkeeper’s acrobatics to save, that position makes Messi a threat from afar.
Aleksandr Golovin (Monaco), AMC; longest goal range: 30 meters
Arguably the most underrated player among the exceptional long-range shooters in football that we’ve covered, Aleksandr Golovin has netted 9 goals from distance. Golovin has scored 14 goals from outside the penalty area, but his longest-range goal from open play came in 2023, against Metz, when he struck from a distance of 31 meters.
The current standout Russian player brings a significant tactical advantage to his club with his powerful right foot, breaking down the fragile defenses of Ligue 1 without needing to breach the penalty area.
Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter), AMC, longest goal distance: 33 meters
Even dead-ball specialists can thrive from open play. Hakan Calhanoglu has scored 11 goals in the league from open play efforts. In his comprehensive display, the Turkish midfielder has netted 24 goals from distances of 16 meters or more!
This attacking midfielder may have been overlooked outside of Italy, but with his furthest goal from 33 meters, Hakan can’t be deemed solely a set-piece player. All his long-range goals have come from his stronger right foot.
Christian Eriksen (Manchester United), AMC, longest goal distance: 30 meters
Another player primarily known for his soft technical skills but also a set-piece expert. Yet Eriksen certainly deserves his place on the list of the best long-range shooters in football with 15 goals scored solely in league matches. Particularly impressive as he had to kickstart his career during a peak period after a scare about a heart condition.
Predominantly shooting from the left side of the pitch, with his stronger right foot, the intriguing fact is that Eriksen’s furthest goal actually came from his naturally weaker left foot. In fact, out of 20 goals scored from 16m distances, Eriksen has actually scored 7 with his left foot.
Perhaps a bit surprising is that this list is predominantly composed of attacking midfielders, whereas previously, many of the best long-range shooters in football were primarily central midfielders, such as Dejan Stankovic, Clarence Seedorf, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard.
Conclude
In conclusion, the world of football is graced with an elite cadre of players who possess the remarkable ability to score from long distances, leaving spectators in awe and goalkeepers grasping at thin air. From established legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to rising stars such as Hakan Calhanoglu and Christian Eriksen, these players showcase the beauty and excitement of the game through their deadly accurate strikes from afar. As we celebrate their talent and prowess, one thing remains clear: the art of long-range shooting continues to captivate and inspire fans around the globe, ensuring that these marksmen will forever hold a special place in football folklore.
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